CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP: Council candidate Gregory pushes jobs formula

To help the city to create jobs, City Council candidate Jeff Gregory said three steps must first be taken. Gregory said the first step is lowering the crime rate, which can be achieved by increasing Police Department staffing. The next step is improving the city’s infrastructure, including streets and sidewalks. The third step is “fixing” the city’s school system.

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

Writer

Posted Aug. 22, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM

Posted Aug. 22, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM

» Social News

To help the city to create jobs, City Council candidate Jeff Gregory said three steps must first be taken.

Gregory said the first step is lowering the crime rate, which can be achieved by increasing Police Department staffing. The next step is improving the city’s infrastructure, including streets and sidewalks. The third step is “fixing” the city’s school system.

“If we don’t accomplish these tasks first, we will never have stable job growth for our citizens,” Gregory said. “Priorities have to change concerning how our elected officials are spending the revenue generated from our tax monies. Agendas have to be put on hold and get our community back on a sound financial footing again.”

Voter registration deadline approaches

The Board of Election Commissioners has announced a special voter registration session will be held in Government Center on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is also the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the September preliminary election.

Residents seeking to register can also do so between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Anyone wishing to have their voting status restored due to residence or individual name change, party change, or have any questions regarding voter status should telephone the Board of Elections at 508-324-2630.

Mail-in registration forms are also available. This form can be used to register to vote, change your name or address, or change your party. If you are unable to go to the Board of Elections office, located on the sixth floor of Government Center, please request one of these forms.

Medeiros promotes term limits

City Council candidate Philip Medeiros believes the city should adopt term limits for all elected officials. Medeiros suggests all elected officials should be limited to two consecutive terms. They would be eligible to run again after sitting out an electoral term.

“As we observed with the recent debt debate down in Washington DC, career politicians are not able to make good decisions while worrying about their re-election,” Medeiros said.

Medeiros also said he favors establishing a residency requirement for those seeking to run for office.

Miozza: Improve trash pickup

City Council candidate Michael Miozza is calling for the adoption of citywide automated trash pickup and single-stream recycling. Based on estimates from Community Maintenance Director Kenneth Pacheco that adopting the services could save the city upwards of $800,000 annually in landfill fees, Miozza said the savings could be used to benefit other city departments.

“Recycling must be made mandatory throughout the city,” Miozza said. “The program should have been expanded citywide some time ago. By expanding the program citywide we will reduce litter and have much cleaner neighborhoods. It is my understanding the program will cost between $3.5 and $5 million to fully implement city-wide. I think the city should find a way to fund the program, even if it means borrowing the money. There should be a fairly quick return-on-investment, since the program would significantly reduce the amount of trash going into the landfill and at the same time reduce our disposal cost. Additionally, the automated trash system improves safety and reduces workers compensation expense.”

Page 2 of 2 - Campaign Roundup will run Mondays until the Nov. 8 City Election. Anyone seeking to submit information for consideration can email press releases to campaign@heraldnews.com or contact staff reporter Will Richmond at 508-676-2540.